The Sights + Sounds of Participation: The Fight for $15

“Sights + Sounds of Participation” is Purpose’s coverage of current social and environmental movements, with a focus on capturing the creative expressions, on-site energy, and stories from organizers and participants at key marches and rallies taking place in our community.

On April 15th, protests on behalf of low-wage workers took place in over 40 countries with tens of thousands coming together to demand pay of $15 an hour. New York saw a group gather in Brooklyn on Flatbush Avenue at 6:00 am, starting off the day with chants of “What do we want? $15! When do we want it? Now!” Later in the afternoon, over 1,000 protesters gathered and marched south from Columbus Circle. “It’s really impressive how well fast food workers have organized in just a few years,” said Purpose Partnerships Manager, Max Zorick. The recent news about McDonald’s increasing some wages shows that their message is resonating and that companies are starting to listen.”

Max and other Purpose team members joined the group marching from Columbus Circle. Given the power  of creative expressions (chants, costumes, songs, and signs) in fueling the collective energy of protests, the Purpose team first gathered at the office to paint signs that showed solidarity with low wage workers and support for the Fight for $15 movement.

Purpose Senior Strategist Alberto Means, who brought the Purpose team together to participate, shared the following on his inspiration to do so: “I organized a group of Porps to attend the Fight for $15 rally because workers are being exploited by corporations and the only way to create lasting change is if low-wage workers and economic justice advocates organize and unionize.”

For each member of the Purpose staff, like many others at the rally, the drive to  fight income inequality has deep roots. Max shared his connection to the cause: “My grandfather helped drive the creation of an electricians union in Maryland in the 1950s and 60s, so I’m really inspired by the movement and happy that I could participate in the call to action. A strong labor movement is critical to preventing even greater income inequality.” The Purpose team was proud to stand beside the organizers and participants of the Fight for $15 and will look to take actions that continue to build the momentum of this critical movement.

Looking for a way to support the Fight for $15?  Sign this petition that aims to deliver 1 million signatures in support of fair pay for all workers to McDonald’s at its next shareholder meeting in late May. Couldn’t make it out to a rally in your community?  Check out the video below that shares some of the energy we captured at the NYC march.